“I had some interest in New York but my allegiances are here. Artie [Howe] was meant to go there and I wasn’t,” Baker told The Post prior to last night’s World Series Game 5 between Baker’s Giants and the Angels at Pac Bell Park.

The Mets will name Howe as Bobby Valentine’s replacement early next week but when owner Fred Wilpon dumped Valentine, Lou Piniella and Baker were on the top of the replacement list.

Baker, whose contract expires after the World Series, is rumored to be the leading candidate for the Cubs’ job. Or he could sit out. Replacing Piniella in Seattle isn’t likely since Mariners management is cutting back on player payroll.

While he would have liked to talk to the Mets, Baker is very high on Howe.

“I am glad for Artie. He has been underpaid and underappreciated,” Baker said. “New York is going to appreciate Artie; he is a quality guy.”

As for Baker’s future, Giants owner Peter Magowan plans to step out of character and meet face to face with Baker after Magowan officially brings GM Brian Sabean back. That’s likely to happen by Tuesday.

“We will have a conversation even though that’s the job of the GM,” Magowan said of hiring a manager. “Everything that has been said, the waters got cloudy and it needs to be cleared up.”

Sabean said the perception that Magowan and Baker are at odds is wrong.

“The only reason Dusty hasn’t been resolved is because I am not resolved,” Sabean said. “Nobody has ever said they didn’t want Dusty back.”

With the Series shifting to Anaheim’s Edison Field for tomorrow night’s Game 6, there was a chance last night’s game was Baker’s last at Pac Bell.

“I thought about that when I woke up,” Baker said. “After that I just forgot about it. This is no time to get melancholy. This is the time to push to the finish line.”